Associate, Strategic Relationships

About Lord Abbett:

Lord Abbett is a global, active asset manager, founded in 1929. As an independent, private partnership, we think in decades, not quarters. That long-term perspective shapes how we invest, how we build our business, and how we develop our people.

Today, we serve clients around the world with investment capabilities across public and private markets. We build with intention, focusing our expertise where we believe active management can make a difference. Our independence gives us the freedom to think differently, invest for the long term, and act decisively when opportunities emerge.

The same principles shape how we work. We set high standards, value independent thinking, and expect people to take real ownership of their work. We invest in people who are curious, collaborative, and motivated to make an impact for our clients and the firm.

As an Associate on the Strategic Relationships team, you will play an integral role in advancing Lord Abbett’s strategy at a select group of priority strategic distribution partners. This position is designed for a high-caliber professional who brings strong commercial instincts, the ability to engage key stakeholders, and the capability to operate effectively within complex, matrixed organizations.

The role spans both relationship management and strategic execution, requiring close collaboration with senior relationship leaders and cross-functional partners across Distribution, Investments, Marketing, and Product teams. You will contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives and help ensure consistent, coordinated engagement with key partners.

This is a strategic, externally facing role offering broad visibility and the opportunity to contribute significantly to the evolution of Lord Abbett’s distribution strategy.

• Develop and own relationships with key contacts across a select group of priority strategic distribution partners, building credibility and increasing responsibility over time.
• Take ownership of defined relationship priorities and opportunities, partnering with senior relationship leaders to develop and execute strategies that advance platform access, product positioning, and commercial outcomes.
• Engage with platform research, product teams, and field leadership to support investment capability positioning and drive strategic alignment.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders across departments to ensure consistent communication and unified execution.
• Monitor platform developments, competitive dynamics, and client behavior to generate actionable insights for the Strategic Relationships team and senior leadership.
• Prepare briefing materials, relationship frameworks, strategic analyses, and meeting content for senior external and internal engagements.
• Develop a strong understanding of assigned partner organizations and take ownership of navigating their decision-making processes related to product onboarding, endorsement, and strategic distribution initiatives.
• Represent Lord Abbett at due diligence meetings, conferences, and platform events with professionalism and credibility.
• Serve as a connector and point of accountability across Distribution, Investments, Product, and Marketing, mobilizing the appropriate resources to advance relationship priorities.
• Support business planning efforts through analysis of relationship economics, flows, segmentation, and growth opportunities.
• Contribute to broader strategic initiatives that support a cohesive, enterprise-wide approach to partner engagement.

• 4-6 years of experience in asset management, wealth management, or distribution, preferably in strategic account management, platform coverage, or relationship-oriented roles.
• Strong understanding of wealth management and advisory distribution channels; exposure to complex or multi-channel platforms is a plus.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and articulate complex concepts clearly.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess platform structures, advisor segmentation, and commercial opportunities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, operate with urgency, and balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across strategic relationships and functions.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced credentials (CFA, CAIA, MBA) a plus.
• Experience supporting strategic relationships with large distribution partners.
• Exposure to cross-functional or enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Background in strategic planning, competitive analysis, or business development.
• Ability to build strong internal networks and mobilize resources to achieve shared objectives.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.

Principles based, performance oriented.

We invest in our people the same way we invest in our strategies: deeply, deliberately, and for the long term. As a private partnership, we answer to our clients and to each other. That creates an environment where responsibility is clear, good ideas are taken seriously, and people have the opportunity to shape what gets built and how.

You’ll work alongside colleagues who expect a lot of themselves and each other, with access to leaders who are invested in your development. You’ll have the opportunity to deepen your expertise, broaden your experience, and build a career shaped by your strengths and ambitions.

Our principles-based, performance-oriented culture is grounded in four values: Excellence, Responsibility, Transparency, and Collaboration. They guide how we make decisions, work together, and serve our clients.

Lord Abbett has been recognized by Pensions & Investments as one of the Best Places to Work in Money Management for six consecutive years.

Compensation Information: Annual base salary for this role is $150,000-$190,000. Salary is estimated for this role. Actual pay may be different.

Discretionary Bonus: Role may be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are determined by several factors including, but not limited to, firm, team, and individual performance. 

Benefits: Lord Abbett is committed to offering a competitive total rewards package to all eligible employees. Offerings include competitive total compensation, retirement plans, competitive health and well-being plans. To learn more about what we offer, please visit Careers | Lord Abbett 

Lord Abbett is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, caregiver status, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. All employment decisions at Lord Abbett are based solely on the applicant’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

Important notice to Search Firms - Please Read Carefully
Without prior written agreement, Lord Abbett does not accept unsolicited submissions from employment agencies, search firms, placement services, or any similar provider (“Search Firms”) for employment opportunities. All candidates submitted by Search Firms to any employee or partner at our company without a written Search Firm agreement in place will be deemed the sole property of our company. In such circumstances, no fee, commission, or other compensation will be paid to such Search Firm in the event a candidate is hired by our company. To the extent a Search Firm has a written agreement in place, all introductions are position specific and should be directed to HR or the hiring manager, so we kindly request no unsolicited phone calls or emails.